Best Vacation Spot in Jogjakarta (becak edition)

Becak ? What is that ?

ID Card Becak Driver in Yogyakarta 

Traditional vehicle originally from Indonesia. Before Indonesia became modernization country, every city in Java Island has becak as public transportation. But, rightnow, it was disappeared. Car, bus and motorcycle took place as public transport. That fact made Indonesia (as my country) as one of the most pollution and crowded country in the world. What about Jogjakarta ? It is different.

Although, crowded is absolutely yes and can not separated of it. But it also can be pilot project of becak in Indonesia. You can find it easyly in Malioboro area. Not to hard to look for Malioboro, Indonesian people know it well cause the street is so famous. Over there, there is a tolerant about modern and traditional transport because there is a small way just for becak and pedestrian only on each ways.

Sometimes, work is how to collect money for survive. It is different with “mbecak” (becak driver). He chooses it as the way of life. I appreciate becak, it is not about to exist the culture but also to support go green. No pollution and we can sight seeing at the same time while in becak.

Wanna seeing and enjoying becak as I said ?

Let’s check how to get there ! (If you are foreigner, hopefully it will gonna be help you)

1. From Jakarta (capital city of Indonesia), you need to go to train station which near from your place. There is a lot of station over there, such as Pasar Senen Station (for economy class), Gambir and Jakarta Kota Station (for bussiness and executive class). Or you can go to super market such as Indomaret, Alfamart. Then, booking a seat to Yogyakarta. It’s gonna be easy for you to take bussiness or executive class because you can stop on Tugu Station. If you take an economy class, you can stop on Lempuyangan Station. What about the price ?

For economy : IDR 70.000 – 150.000

For bussiness : IDR 150.000 – 250.000

For executive : IDR 300.000 - more

2. a. From Tugu Station, just move to exit gate. Malioboro street just next to Tugu Station about 200m.

b. From Lempuyangan Station, you have to go to west about 1,5 km. If you choose becak to reach there, don’t forget to ask “Berapa untuk ke Malioboro? (How much to Malioboro)”. In 2016, from Lempuyangan Station to Malioboro for 1 becak is IDR 40.000. If you get higher price, don’t forget to get down the price. It is ok in Indonesia to act like that.

*bahasa Indonesia version

See also : Ika Nur Setiyawati's Photo Blog Page (My traveling photos collection)

BECAK – WARISAN BUDAYA JAWA

Becak adalah jenis kendaraan tradisional di Indonesia. Dulu, setiap kota di Pulau Jawa pasti memiliki becak. Tapi kini keeksistensiannya perlahan mulai pudar tergantikan oleh bus, mobil dan motor yang kian hari kian membludak. Fakta ini jelas membuat negara kita, Indonesia, makin tersohor dengan julukan negara penuh polusi dan macet. Tapi hal ini berbeda dengan Jogjakarta.

Meskipun tak lepas dari yang namanya macet. Tapi satu hal yang perlu dicontoh dari Jogjakarta adalah ke-EKSISTENSI-an becak masih terjaga yaitu di kawasan Jl. Malioboro. Toleransi antara becak dan kendaraan modern lainnya pun tampak pada pembagian jalan. Dimana kawasan Malioboro dibuat one way (satu jalur, untuk kendaraan bermotor) dan 2 jalur di kanan kiri Jl. Malioboro diperuntukkan untuk kendaraan tradisional. Maka jika Anda mengunjungi kawasan tersebut akan tampak sederetan andong dan becak yang sedang terparkir dan siap melayani wisatawan domestik maupun asing untuk berkeliling kota Jogjakarta.

Kondisi tersebut jelas memberikan dampak yang positif, bukan saja untuk para tukang becak secara pribadi dengan penambahan jumlah penghasilan, melainkan juga Kota Jogjakarta secara keseluruhan yang dikenal sebagai kota berbudaya.

“In my country I didn’t see transportation like this. It is good, unique, interesting and because Indonesian culture. I like it. This evening I want to try,” kata Mirella, wisatawan asal Rumania.

Bayangkan, jika tidak hanya Jogjakarta saja yang dikenal sebagai kota berbudaya. Anggaplah Bandung, Surakarta, Surabaya dan Jakarta pun ikut melangkah menuju predikat tersebut. Berapa jumlah wisatawan asing yang akan mengunjungi Indonesia? Berapa pula devisa yang didapat Indonesia sebagai negara tujuan utama wisatawan asing? Dan yang paling fenomenal adalah berapa jumlah orang yang terlepas dari predikat miskin?

Jawabannya adalah banyak sekali keuntungan dari mempertahankan dan menjaga budaya daerah dan budaya bangsa, terutama terkait dengan transportasi tradiosional. Selain salah satu upaya mempertahankan budaya juga merupakan upaya untuk mengurangi jumlah kepadapatan kendaraan bermotor dan polusi akibat kendaraan pribadi (mobil dan motor). Mari kita sama-sama mewujudkan Indonesia sebagai negara tujuan utama wisatawan asing ! Karena kalau bukan kita siapa lagi ? Hidup Indonesiaku ! Salam Budaya !